Devices and methods for retrieving golf balls from golf holes

ABSTRACT

Devices are provided for retrieving golf balls from golf holes when a portion of a golf flagstick is located within the golf hole. The devices includes a substantially circular body configured to fit within the golf hole. The body is further configured to mate with the golf flagstick so that the body forms a resting surface for the golf balls when the golf balls enter the golf hole, and the golf balls can be removed from the hole by lifting the golf flagstick.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/816,484, filed Mar. 11, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The disclosed technology relates generally to the game of golf, and more specifically, to devices that facilitate the removal of golf balls from golf holes.

BACKGROUND

Golf flagsticks, also referred to as golf pins, are used to provide a visual indication of a location of a golf hole, i.e., the hole in the ground on a putting green of a golf course. A flagstick typically includes an elongated pole, or flagstick body, made of metal or fiberglass; a cloth flag or other visual indicator attached at or near the upper end of the flagstick body; and metallic ferrule secured to the lower end of the flagstick body. The ferrule is configured to be inserted into an opening, or socket, formed in a liner or cup located within the golf hole. The ferrule cooperates with the liner to maintain the flagstick pole in a generally upright orientation. The flagstick can be removed from the golf hole by pulling upwardly on the flagstick body, to move the ferrule out of the socket.

Prior to January of 2019, hitting the flagstick with a golf ball played from anywhere on the putting green resulted in a two-stroke penalty under the Rules of Golf of the United States Golf Association. To avoid this penalty, golfers usually removed the flagstick prior to putting; or a tender would remove the flagstick after the ball was putted, but before the ball reached the hole.

On Jan. 1, 2019, the United States Golf Association updated the Rules of Golf to eliminate the above-noted penalty. Thus, many golfers now leave the flagstick in the golf hole during the entire time putting is underway. It can be difficult or unfeasible to pull the flag stick out of the hole when one or more golf balls are located in the hole, however, because the balls tend to adhere to, and jam against the flagstick body and the side of the cup as the flagstick is lifted. Thus, leaving the flagstick in place during putting usually necessitates removing the holed golf balls while the flagstick body is located within the hole, which can present substantial difficulties.

For example, the Rules of Golf require that golf holes have a diameter of 4½ inches (108 mm) and a depth of 4 inches (102 mm); and specify a minimum diameter of 1.68 inches (42.67 mm) for golf balls. The Rules also require that flagstick bodies have a circular cross section; and flagstick bodies typically have a diameter of about 0.5 inch (13 mm). Thus, the spacing between the side of the golf hole and the flag stick body is only slightly greater than the diameter of the golf ball, making it difficult to remove the golf ball from the hole when the flagstick is positioned in the cup. Also, removing golf balls from a golf hole with the flagstick in place can result in damage to the portion of the green around the perimeter of the cup; and such damage can be exacerbated when golfers try to force the ball out of the hole with a putter or other type of golf club. Moreover, many elderly individuals, and individuals with physical impairments such as hip, back, or knee problems, can have difficulties reaching down, kneeling, or squatting to remove holed balls. In some cases, these difficulties can be extreme enough to prevent from individual from playing golf.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for retrieving golf balls from golf holes when a portion of a golf flagstick is located within the golf hole. In one aspect, the devices include a substantially circular body configured to fit within the golf hole. The body is further configured to mate with the golf flagstick so that the body forms a resting surface for the golf balls when the golf balls enter the golf hole, and the golf balls can be removed from the hole by lifting the golf flag stick. The device body is configured to resiliently deform to allow a portion of the flagstick body to pass through a narrow slot formed in the device body, so that the flagstick body can enter a centrally-located opening the device body. Once the flagstick body enters the hole, the resilience of the device body causes the device body to return, or snap back to its original state, so that the device body is retained on the golf flagstick.

In one aspect, the disclosed technology relates to devices for retrieving golf balls from golf holes, where the devices have a substantially circular body that includes an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf balls within the golf hole. The body has a centrally-located opening formed therein and configured to receive a portion of a golf flagstick. Also, the body has a slot formed therein. The slot extends between the opening and an outer perimeter of the body. The slot is configured to permit the portion of the golf flagstick to pass between the outer perimeter of the body and the opening.

In another aspect, the devices have a liner configured to be positioned between the body and the golf flagstick.

In another aspect, the liner includes a strip of hook and loop tape configured to be fastened to a body of the golf flag stick.

In another aspect, the body further includes a lip forming an outer periphery of the body, and a neck. The opening is formed in the neck.

In another aspect, the body further includes a web adjoining the lip and the neck.

In another aspect, the web is substantially flat and has plurality of holes formed therein.

In another aspect, the body has a lower surface portion configured to abut a ferrule of the golf flagstick.

In another aspect, the slot is a first slot; the body has a second and a third slot formed therein; the second slot extends between the opening and a first hole formed in the body; and the third slot extends between the opening and a second hole formed in the body.

In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates to devices for removing golf balls from a golf hole when a portion of a golf flagstick is located within the golf hole. The devices include a substantially circular body configured to fit within the golf hole. The body has a lip forming an outer perimeter of the body; and a neck adjoining the lip. The neck forms an inner perimeter of the body, and is configured to mate with the portion of the golf flag stick so that the body forms a resting surface for the golf balls when the portion of the golf flagstick is located within the golf hole.

In another aspect, the body is configured to span a substantial entirety of a diameter of the golf hole when the portion of the golf flagstick is located within the golf hole.

In another aspect, the devices further include a liner configured to be attached to the portion of the flagstick so that the liner is positioned between the portion of the flag stick and the neck of the device.

In another aspect, the liner is further configured so the inner perimeter of the body is seated in the liner.

In another aspect, the neck has an opening formed therein; and the opening is configured to receive the portion of the golf flag stick.

In another aspect, the body has a first slot formed therein and extending between the opening and the outer perimeter of the body. The slot is configured to receive the portion of the golf flag stick as the portion of the golf flag stick is moved between the outer perimeter of the body and the opening.

In another aspect, the body further includes a web adjoining the lip and the neck; the body has a second and a third slot formed therein; the second slot extends between the opening and a first hole formed in the web; and the third slot extends between the opening and a second hole formed in the web.

In another aspect, the body further includes a lower surface portion configured to abut a ferrule of the golf flag stick.

In another aspect, the lip and the neck each have a curvature that substantially matches a curvature of outer surfaces of the golf balls.

In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates to methods for retrieving a golf ball from a golf hole. The methods include providing a golf flagstick having a flagstick body; and providing a device having a substantially circular body, and an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf ball within the golf hole. The device body has a centrally-located opening formed therein; and a portion of the flagstick body is located in the opening and secured to the device body. The methods further include grasping the flagstick and lifting the flagstick while the golf ball is resting on the upper surface of the device body.

In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates to methods that include providing a device for retrieving golf balls from golf holes. The device includes a substantially circular body having an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf balls within the golf hole. The device body has a centrally-located opening formed therein and configured to receive a portion of a flagstick body of a golf flagstick. The device body also has a slot formed therein and extending between the opening and an outer perimeter of the body. The methods also include urging the portion of the flagstick body though the slot so that the portion of the flagstick body enters the opening in the device body.

In another aspect, the methods also include securing a liner of the device to a portion of the flag stick body; pushing the device body onto the liner; and rotating the device body in relation to the flagstick body and the liner.

In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates to systems for removing golf balls from a golf hole when a portion of a golf flagstick is located within the golf hole. The systems include the golf flagstick; and devices that include a substantially circular body configured to fit within the golf hole. The body has a lip forming an outer perimeter of the body; and a neck adjoining the lip. The neck forms an inner perimeter of the body, and is configured to mate with the portion of the golf flagstick so that the body forms a resting surface for the golf balls when the portion of the golf flag stick is located within the golf hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a body of a device for retrieving holed golf balls.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the device body shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the device body shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device body shown in FIGS. 1-3, and a liner of the device, taken through the line “A-A” of FIG. 2, installed on a golf flagstick.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-4 installed on the flagstick shown in FIG. 4, depicting the device in a golf hole with a plurality of golf balls resting on the device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-5 installed on the flagstick shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, depicting the device and the flagstick being lifted from the golf hole shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concepts are described with reference to the attached figures. The figures are not drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate the instant inventive concepts. The figures do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Several aspects of the inventive concepts are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the inventive concepts. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the inventive concepts can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operation are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the inventive concepts.

The figures depict a device 10 for removing golf balls from golf holes. The device 10 is configured for use with a golf flagstick 100. The term “golf flagstick,” as used herein, is intended to be synonymous with the term “pin.” The flagstick 100 has a flagstick body 102; a ferrule 104 secured to a lower portion of the flagstick 100; and a visual marker or flag 106 attached to an upper portion of the flagstick body 102. The ferrule 104 is configured to fit snugly within a socket (not shown) formed in a liner 110 of a golf hole 112. The ferrule 104 and the socket cooperate to maintain to flagstick 100 in a generally upright orientation, shown in FIG. 5.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 10 is configured to fit over the flagstick body 102, and can be positioned in the golf hole 112 so that golf balls 114 entering the hole 112 rest on the device 10. The device 10, and any golf balls 114 located in the golf hole 112, can be removed from the hole 112 by lifting the flagstick 100, as shown in FIG. 6. The device 10 thus facilitates easy retrieval of holed golf balls 114, without a need for the individual retrieving the golf balls 114 to stoop, bend over, or squat; and without damaging the liner 110, the hole 112, or the adjacent portion of the putting green 116 in which the hole 112 is located.

The device 10 includes a body 12. The outer perimeter of the body 12 is circular, to match the shape of the periphery of the golf hole 112. The body 12 has a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the liner 110 of the golf hole 112, to permit the device 10 to be moved freely into and out of the hole 112, while maintaining minimal clearance between the outer perimeter of the body 12 and the adjacent surface of the liner 110. For example, the body 12 can have a diameter of about 4.0 inches (102 mm) in applications where the device 10 will be used in standard-size golf holes 112. The use of the device 10 in connection with a liner-equipped golf hole 112 is described for illustrative purposes only; the device 10 also can be used in golf holes 112 not equipped with a liner 110.

The body 12 has an outer portion or lip 20; a middle portion or web 22 that adjoins the lip 20; and an inner portion or neck 24 that adjoins the web 22. The body 12 can be integrally formed as a single piece; alternatively, the lip 20, web 22, and neck 24 can be formed separately and joined by a suitable means such as adhesive.

The lip 20 forms the outer periphery of the body 12, and extends upwardly and outwardly from the web 22 from the perspective of FIGS. 2 and 4-6. The curvature of the lip 20 approximately matches the curvature of the outer surface of a standard golf ball 114. The lip 20 helps retain the golf balls 114 on the device 10 as the device 10 and the golf balls 114 are lifted from the golf hole 112 during retrieval of the golf balls 114, as can be seen in FIG. 6.

The web 22 is substantially flat. The web has eight holes 26 formed therein to permit irrigation and rain water to drain through the device 10; the holes 26 also help to stabilize the golf balls 114 on the device 10 as the device 10 and the golfs balls 114 are lifted from the golf hole 112. Alternative embodiments include more, or less than eight of the holes 26; other alternative embodiments can be formed without the holes 26.

The neck 24 forms the inner periphery of the body 12, and extends upwardly and inwardly from the web 22 from the perspective of FIGS. 2 and 4-6. The curvature of the neck 24 approximately matches the curvature of the outer surface of a standard golf ball 114.

The neck 24 defines a centrally-located opening 28 in the body 12. The opening 28 receives the flagstick body 102, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The opening 28 has a diameter that is slightly greater that the diameter of the flagstick body 102, so that the flagstick body 102 can fit within the opening 28 with minimal clearance between the perimeter of the opening 28 and the adjacent surface of the flag stick body 102.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the underside of the neck 24 has a shape that substantially matches the shape of the upper portion of the ferrule 104. In particular, the neck 24 has a lower surface 40. The lower surface 40 includes a substantially flat portion 42 that substantially matches the shape of an upper surface 120 of the ferrule 104; and an adjoining angled portion 44 having a shape that substantially matches the shape of an upwardly-facing angled surface 122 of the ferrule 104.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the body 12 has a plurality of discontinuities or gaps formed therein to facilitate installation of the device 10 on the flag stick. In particular, the body 12 has an elongated gap, or slot 34 a formed therein. The slot 34 a extends radially, between the opening 28 and the outer periphery of the body 12, as can be seen in FIG. 1. Two shorter gaps, or slots 34 b also are formed in the body 12, at respective angular positions offset by about 115 degrees from the slot 34 a. Each of the slots 34 b extends between the opening 28 and a respective one of the holes 26 in the web 22.

The slot 34 a provides a path through which the flagstick body 102 can be inserted into the opening 28. Edges 35 of the lip 20 located adjacent to the slot 34 a can be rounded, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, to facilitate insertion of the flagstick into the slot 34 a. The shorter slots 34 b facilitate flexing of the portions body 12 adjacent the slot 34 a, to allow the slot 34 a to widen to accommodate the flagstick body 102 as the flagstick body 102 is inserted into the opening 28 via the slot 34 a. Alternative embodiments of the body 12 can have discontinuities or gaps configured differently than the slots 34 a, 34 b. For example, alternative embodiments can includes more, or less than two of the slots 34 b.

The body 12 can be formed from a material having suitable durability and weather resistance for outdoor use; and sufficient flexibility and resilience to permit the body 12 to deflect as the flagstick body 102 is inserted through the slot 34 a, and return or snap back to its un-deflected position once the flagstick body 102 reaches the opening 28. For example, the body 12 can be formed from plastic; other materials, such but not limited to neoprene, can be used in the alternative.

The device 10 optionally can include a liner 46, shown in FIG. 4. The liner 46 can be positioned between the body 12 of the device 10 and the flag stick body 102. The liner 46 can help provide a more secure and stable connection between the body 12 and the flagstick body 102, in comparison to a connection made directly between the body 12 and the flagstick body 102. The liner 46 can be, for example, a strip of loop tape, i.e., the loop tape that removably attaches to the hook tape in a hook and loop fastener system such as VELCRO®. The adhesive side of the liner 46 can be securely attached to the flagstick body 102 directly above the ferrule 104, as shown in FIG. 4.

The device 10 can be installed on the flagstick body 102 as follows. The installer can place the rounded edges 35 of the lip 20 of the body 12 against the outer surface of the flagstick body 102, at a location on the flagstick body 102 above the liner 46. The installer then can exert a force on the body 12 to urge the body 12 inwardly, toward the flagstick body 102. In response to the force acting against the rounded edges 35, and as a result of the relative flexibility of the body 12, the portions of the body 12 adjacent the slot 34 a spread apart to permit the flagstick body 102 to enter, and move through the now-widened slot 34 a. To assist the flagstick body 102 to enter the slot 34 a, the user optionally can grasp the body 12 on either side of the slot 34 a and pull the body 12 apart so as to increase the width of the slot 34 a, while continuing to urge the body 12 toward the flagstick.

Continued movement of the flagstick body 102 through the slot 34 a eventually causes the flag stick body 102 to reach the opening 28 in the neck 24 of the flagstick body 12. Once the flagstick body 102 has become disposed in the opening 28, the resilience of the body 12 causes the body 12 to return to its initial position, i.e., the portions of the body 12 adjacent the slot 34 a return, or snap back to their original relative positions, causing the slot 34 a to return to its original dimensions.

At this point, the flagstick body 102 is captured within the opening 28. The installer can exert downward force on the body 12, to urge the body 12 over the liner 46 so that the liner 46 becomes disposed within the opening 28; and the portions 42, 44 of the lower surface 40 of the neck 24 abut the respective surface portions 120, 122 of the ferrule 104. Because the diameter of the opening 28 is only slighter greater than the diameter of the flag stick body 102, the liner 46 is compressed as the body 12 is pressed over the liner 46, and interference occurs between the liner 46 and the perimeter of the hole 28 as the liner 46 becomes disposed in the hole 28. This interference results in a frictional force that helps to secure the body 12 on the flagstick body 102. The user can enhance the securing contact between the body 12 and the liner 46 by rotating the body 12 through several revolutions in relation to the flagstick body 102, to cause the neck 24 of the body 12 to seat itself within the liner 46.

Thus, the device 10 can installed on the golf flagstick 100 quickly and easily by snapping the body 12 onto the flagstick pole 102. The device 10 can be installed without any need to disassemble or modify the golf flagstick 100, and without the need for any tools. This installation style allows the use of existing golf flagstick poles 102, e.g., its ability to snap on to existing golf flagsticks 100, saving cost of having to obtain new ones. The body 12 can be removed from the golf flagstick 100 by lifting the body 12 to free the body 12 from the liner 46; and then pulling the body 12 away from the flagstick body 102 so that the flagstick body 102 exits the body 12 by way of the slot 34 a, as the body 12 resiliently deforms to allow the passage of the flagstick body 102 through the slot 34 a. Once the flagstick body 102 has cleared the slot 34 a, the resilience of the body 12 causes the body 12 to return, or snap back to its original state.

The liner 46 can be formed from materials other than VELCRO® loop tape. For example, the liner 46 can be formed from adhesive-backed polyester felt tape, neoprene, or other materials that can deform as the body 12 is pressed over the liner 46 so as to give rise to the above-noted frictional force that helps to retain the body 12 on the flagstick body 102. In other alternative embodiments, the body 12 can be installed without the liner 46, and can be attached directly and permanently to the flagstick body 102 using adhesive or other suitable means.

The flagstick 100, with the device 10 attached thereto, can be installed in the golf hole 112 in the normal manner. In particular, the flag stick 100 can be positioned above the golf hole 112, so that the ferrule 104 is aligned with the socket in the liner 110. The flag stick 100 then can be lowered so that the ferrule 104 enters the socket, and the device 10 becomes disposed in the golf hole 112 and the liner 110, proximate the bottom of the golf hole 112. If a golfer chooses to putt with the flagstick 100 installed, the golfer can do so normally, without any interference or other effect from the device 10, i.e., once the flagstick 100 and the device 10 have been installed in the golf hole 112, the presence of the device 10 is transparent to any golfers using the putting green 116.

Because the body 12 spans a substantial entirely of the diameter of the golf hole 112, any golf balls 114 entering the hole 112 come to rest on top of the body 12. In particular, the upwardly-facing surfaces of the lip 20, web 22, and neck 22 collectively form a resting surface 48 on which the golf balls 114 reside after entering the golf hole 112. When a user, i.e., a player or caddy, wishes to retrieve the golf balls 114, the user can grasp the flagstick body 102 at a height on the flagstick body 102 comfortable to the user, and lift the flag stick 100 so as to lift the attached device 10 and the golf balls 114 out of the golf hole 112. As noted above, the upturned lip 20 on the body 12, the holes 26 in the web 22, and the curved configuration of the neck 24 stabilize the golf balls 114 on the body 12, and help the golf balls 114 to remain on the body 12 as the device 10 is lifted and tilted. The user can lift the flagstick 100 so that the device 10 and the golf balls 114 are approximately waist-high to the user, at which point the user can conveniently retrieve the golf balls 114 by hand directly from the device 10; alternatively, the flag stick 100 can be moved and manipulated by the user so as to dump the golf balls 114 into a bucket or other collection location. Because the device 10 remains securely attached to the flagstick 100, the device 10 can be reinserted into the golf hole 112 along with the flagstick 100 once the golf balls 114 have been retrieved, without any further action required by the user.

Thus, the user does need to bend over, kneel, or squat to retrieve the golf balls 114 from the golf hole 112. This feature can be particularly advantageous to players with knee, back, or hip problems, or other mobility issue that make it difficult to retrieve holed golf balls 114. Also, multiple holed golf balls 114 can be removed simultaneously with a single motion, potentially speeding up play. Furthermore, the difficulties, delays, and potential damage to the liner 110 and putting green 116 associated with removing holed balls 114 from a confined area only slightly larger than the balls 114 themselves can be eliminated through the use of the device 10.

By eliminating the difficulties and inconvenience associated with removing holed balls 114 while the flagstick 100 is located in the golf hole 112, the device 10 can eliminate any need to remove the flagstick 100 during putting. This in turn can help golfers improve the accuracy of their putts by better visualizing the line of the shot, and can eliminate the distraction and inconvenience to golfers resulting from need to tend the flagstick 100 while other golfers are putting. 

We claim:
 1. A device for retrieving golf balls from golf holes, comprising a substantially circular body, wherein: the body comprises an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf balls within the golf hole; the body has a centrally-located opening formed therein and configured to receive a portion of a golf flag stick; and the body also has a slot formed therein and extending between the opening and an outer perimeter of the body, the slot being configured to permit the portion of the golf flag stick to pass between the outer perimeter of the body and the opening.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a liner configured to be positioned between the body and the golf flag stick.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the liner comprises a strip of hook and loop tape configured to be fastened to a body of the golf flag stick.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a lip forming an outer periphery of the body, and a neck; and the opening is formed in the neck.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the body further comprises a web adjoining the lip and the neck.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the web is substantially flat and has plurality of holes formed therein.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the body has a lower surface portion configured to abut a ferrule of the golf flagstick.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein: the slot is a first slot; the body has a second and a third slot formed therein; the second slot extends between the opening and a first hole formed in the body; and the third slot extends between the opening and a second hole formed in the body.
 9. A device for removing golf balls from a golf hole when a portion of a golf flagstick is located within the golf hole, the device comprising a substantially circular body configured to fit within the golf hole, wherein: the body comprises a lip forming an outer perimeter of the body; and a neck forming an inner perimeter of the body, and being configured to mate with the portion of the golf flagstick so that the body forms a resting surface for the golf balls when the portion of the golf flagstick is located within the golf hole.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the body is configured to span a substantial entirety of a diameter of the golf hole when the portion of the golf flagstick is located within the golf hole.
 11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a liner configured to be attached to the portion of the flagstick so that the liner is positioned between the portion of the flagstick and the neck of the device.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the liner is further configured so the inner perimeter of the body is seated in the liner.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the neck has an opening formed therein; and the opening is configured to receive the portion of the golf flag stick.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the body has a first slot formed therein and extending between the opening and the outer perimeter of the body; and the slot is configured to receive the portion of the golf flag stick as the portion of the golf flagstick is moved between the outer perimeter of the body and the opening.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein: the body further comprises a web adjoining the lip and the neck; the body has a second and a third slot formed therein; the second slot extends between the opening and a first hole formed in the web; and the third slot extends between the opening and a second hole formed in the web.
 16. The device of claim 9, wherein the body further comprises a lower surface portion configured to abut a ferrule of the golf flagstick.
 17. The device of claim 9, wherein the lip and the neck each have a curvature that substantially matches a curvature of outer surfaces of the golf balls.
 18. A method for retrieving a golf ball from a golf hole, comprising: providing a golf flagstick having a flagstick body; providing a device comprising a substantially circular body, and an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf ball within the golf hole; wherein: the device body has a centrally-located opening formed therein; and a portion of the flag stick body is located in the opening and secured to the device body; and grasping the flagstick and lifting the flagstick while the golf ball is resting on the upper surface of the device body.
 19. A method, comprising: providing a device for retrieving golf balls from golf holes, the device comprising a substantially circular body comprising an upper surface configured to form a resting surface for the golf balls within the golf hole; the device body having a centrally-located opening formed therein and configured to receive a portion of a flagstick body of a golf flagstick; the device body also having a slot formed therein and extending between the opening and an outer perimeter of the body; and urging the portion of the flagstick body though the slot so that the portion of the flag stick body enters the opening in the device body.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: securing a liner of the device to a portion of the flagstick body; pushing the device body onto the liner; and rotating the device body in relation to the flag stick body and the liner. 